STAYING OUT OF JAIL, OUT OF COURT, AND OUT OF TROUBLE: ETHICS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND POTENTIAL LIABILITIES OF LAWYERS AND LAND PERSONNEL

• Jurisdiction: United States

Mineral Title Examination
(Sep 2007)
CHAPTER 11B
STAYING OUT OF JAIL, OUT OF COURT, AND OUT OF TROUBLE: ETHICS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND POTENTIAL LIABILITIES OF LAWYERS AND LAND PERSONNEL
S. Craig Young
CPL
Young and Shedd
Abilene, Texas

A graduate of Texas Tech University, Craig Young, CPL, has been operating as an independent landman out of Abilene, Texas, for more than 30 years. Craig formed a partnership with W. Glen Shedd, CPL, in 1991 and has been operating as Young & Shedd since. Prior to this, he was a landman for Pennzoil Producing Company in Shreveport, Louisiana, covering parts of Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas and all of Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. He then covered the Gulf Coast area of Texas.

During his career, he has served as a volunteer for several professional organizations related to the petroleum industry. Craig served as President for the American Association of Professional Landmen during the 2003-04 term. He has previously served as AAPL First Vice President and as a regional director for the association. He has served as both Chairman and Assistant Chairman for the AAPL Certification Committee and was AAPL Second Vice President in 2000-2001. He also served as Chairman of the Sub-nominating Committee for AAPL in 2005-2006. He is a member of the Abilene, Permian Basin and Wyoming Landmen's associations, having served as both a director and president of the Abilene Association of Petroleum Landmen. He has also served on the board of directors of the West Central Texas Oil and Gas Association and Texas Alliance of Energy Producers and on the advisory board for the Petroleum Land Management Program at Texas Tech University. Currently he serves AAPL as advisor on the Unauthorized Practice of Law Task Force and is on the Board of Directors of the North American Prospect Exposition (NAPE) which is held in Houston twice a year.

AAPL CODE OF ETHICS

The Code of Ethics shall be the basis of conduct, business principles and ideals for the members of the AAPL; and it shall be understood that conduct of any member of the Association inconsistent with the provisions set forth in this Article shall be considered unethical and said individual's membership status shall be subject to review for possible disciplinary action as prescribed in Article XVII of these Bylaws.

In the area of human endeavor involving trading under competitive conditions, ethical standards for fair and honest dealing can be made increasingly meaningful by an association organized and dedicated not only to the definition, maintenance, and enforcement of such standards, but to the improvement and education of its members as set out in the Standards of Practice. Such is the objective of AAPL and such is its public trust.

Section 1. It shall be the duty of the Land Professional at all times to promote and, in a fair and honest manner, represent the industry to the public at large with the view of establishing and maintaining goodwill between the industry and the public and among industry parties. The Land Professional, in his dealings with landowners, industry parties, and others outside the industry, shall conduct himself in a manner consistent with fairness and honesty, such as to maintain the respect of the public.

Section 2. Competition among those engaged in the mineral and energy industries shall be kept at a high level with careful adherence to established rules of honesty and...